Managing Urticaria in Resource-Limited Settings

In this episode of the UCARE Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network podcast on Urticaria, Prof. Torsten Zuberbier speaks with Dr. Emma Kruger from Cape Town, South Africa, about managing urticaria in real-world clinical settings with varying access to therapies. Following the UCARE conference in Mumbai, they discuss global collaboration, treatment gaps, and practical approaches in resource-limited environments.

They discuss: 🔹 How does urticaria present alongside common allergic comorbidities? 🔹 What challenges exist in accessing modern therapies in South Africa? 🔹 Why are first-generation antihistamines still used in some settings? 🔹 What role does cyclosporine play when newer treatments are not available? 🔹 How can tools like the CRUSE app improve disease monitoring? 🔹 What insights do registries like CURE provide on global disease patterns? 🔹 What role do infections play as potential triggers of urticaria?

The episode highlights the importance of adapting guidelines to local realities, maintaining strong diagnostic workups, and leveraging global collaboration through Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network and UCARE to improve patient care worldwide.

Key Learnings from the Episode: Urticaria often coexists with other allergic diseases. Treatment access varies significantly between regions. First-generation antihistamines are still used where options are limited. Cyclosporine remains an important accessible treatment. Digital tools like CRUSE can improve patient monitoring. UAS and UCT are useful but time-consuming in practice. Registries like CURE help identify regional differences. Infections can act as triggers in some patients. Thorough diagnostic workups remain essential. Global collaboration supports better patient outcomes.

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Urticaria and Allergies 02:37 Insights from the UCARE Conference 05:08 Treatment Options and Challenges 06:26 Patient Communication and Monitoring 09:04 Registry Work and Global Patterns 12:14 Pathomechanisms and Treatment Innovations 15:04 The Importance of Thorough Diagnosis 15:50 Conclusion and Future Collaborations

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